This book focuses on Jane who works in PR. The take on PR and the wellness industry was very funny and the characters were engaging. A fun read which I flew through. Look forward to reading this author's next book.

The Blurb.... "The Glow is a razor-sharp sendup of an industry built on the peculiar intersection of money and wellness, where health is a commodity and self-care a luxury. "

I found it all a bit too much, weak and not really telling me anything about the skill of the PR machines for these types of organisations (perhaps that is the point, but I don't believe that). I found it odd how PR Jane got so in with Cass and Tom, so quickly, and it all a bit icky. Not sure Jane really had the skills to do the job she did and found it a bit unbelievable that what they built was worth the payout.

I thought it was a great cover on the book, but would not be rushing to recommend it to.

Gorgeous read, perfect escapism.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

"The Glow" by Jessie Gaynor falls into the realm of mediocrity. While the premise is intriguing, the execution lacks depth and fails to fully engage the reader. The characters feel underdeveloped, and the narrative struggles to sustain interest. It's a forgettable read that doesn't leave a lasting impression.

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but, what I got I absolutely loved. A fantastic read that I couldn't put down

I came in expecting a lot more intensity and madness from the characters. It was a little lacking in that area, but I think the book itself did a good job in critiquing the commodification of wellness and how everything has become focused on making money. Unfortunately, there were many slow moments in this book, with the main character just complaining and rambling on. There was a good degree of strangeness in this novel, don't get me wrong, but it was not enough to make it very compelling. However, I still enjoyed myself while reading this book.

This book was an okay read, but it wasn't anything amazing unfortunately. The storyline felt a bit patchy in places and I wasn't completely sold on the characters. There were definitely some questionable scenes too - the meditation - say no more. Won't be recommending this one, unfortunately.

I liked Jane as a protagonist, in her quiet desperation, but unfortunately I don’t think this was doing anything groundbreaking within the recent rise in subtly satirical literature.

Trying to save her career Jane signs up to attend a wellness retreat with the hopes of signing the beautiful Cass as a client. However, the retreat is not at all what she expected, and Jane manages to ruin her career even further. In order to be able to make ends meet in her life, she convinces Cass and her partner Tom to hire her directly.

This book was not for me, it was weird (there was masturbation meditation…) and just missing a real storyline for me. I hate writing a negative review, but I just didn’t understand the purpose of this book. It didn’t really have a romance storyline although at times it suggested one, but didn’t really have any other drama going on. I don’t know. I was disappointed. The cover definitely intrigued me and drew me in.

Acerbic and a very cleverly done commentary on wellness culture and living the best life on the gram. Overall, an enjoyable read, Jane is, what could only be called an acquired taste, but that makes her all the more relatable. The writing is fast paced and the author manages to introduce deadpan humour and moments of absolute cringe throughout. The characters are , at times, quite a lot but that is obviously the point, particularly with Jane and Cass. Overall, an interesting take on current cultural trends.

A captivating read, The main character's attitude and actions really resonated with me I feel like she will ring true to many readers and the overall moral of the story is quite compelling.

So, Jane. Failing publicist - mostly I think due to her lack of belief in what she is "selling". And her obsession with other things outwith what she is supposed to be doing during work time.
And she is about to be called out on it all by her superiors. And probably sacked.
So she needs help... fast. Something to keep herself in a job. Something unique to turn her "skills" to publicise. After all, she has a world of medical debt to pay off still...
And there it is... A wellness retreat unlike any other. The oddly named FortPath, run by Cass who is simply stunning. And extolling the virtues if zucchini. So Jane contacts her, eager to offer her services, and despite her initial disappointment when she is replied to by someone called Tom rather than Cass, she gets over it, and accepts a weekend booking.
A weekend which will - well - kinda - change her life... And if you thought the early parts of Jane's story were hilarious, and they were for me - laugh out loud, don't read it in public, funny - you ain't seen nothing yet when she describes the other shenanigans that they get up to there!
And then Jane's big mouth gets her in trouble once again and she has to up her game...
This is a fun book, very much tongue in cheek, poking fun at influencers, wellness clinics, and a fair few other things. At least I hope it is, otherwise I have just insulted the author - sorry! But it is, as already mentioned, in places, so very very funny. And I think you will get more from the book if you don't take it too seriously.
My only issue with the book is all the unanswered questions I had at the end which didn't really leave me as satisfied as I could have been. I can't really explain here without spoilers so I won't but it did irk me a tad when I finished and thought "well is that it?" Maybe I missed the point. Maybe I didn't switch back on to serious after a funny bit. I dunno. It was just the feeling I was left with.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The Glow is one of those books that you feel completely immersed in, like you are stepping inside another person's thoughts and life.
Jane is in PR and is desperately looking for an opportunity to convince her boss that she deserves to keep her job. With an unhealthy obsession with her ex boyfriend and a ton of medical debt, she needs her job.
She finds the perfect opportunity in"FortPath", a wellness retreat provided by an out-worldly woman called Cass and Tom, the person who effectively handles communication with potential guests, and decides to go there to pitch her PR firm as a way of them growing their business.
Soon, Jane starts seeing Cass as a product and as a way to solve her financial and personal problems....
The premise is enticing, and I really loved the experience of reading the book. I think there were a lot of opportunities for developing more certain aspects of this book - such as the "culty" vibe of Cass' personality and I felt the ending lacked a little bit, however I would still certainly recommend it, especially for those who love stories about unhinged, millennial women finding a purpose in their life and a place in this world.

Jane works in PR, trying to sell self-care as a lifestyle solution. She's swimming in medical debt and is not quite over her last breakup with a poet named, of all things, Byron. In a last ditch attempt to save her career, Jane discovers Fort Worth: a supposed wellness retreat with somewhat cult-like vibes and a intriguing and beautiful leader named Cass. However Jane's plan to see if she can make Fort Worth, and Cass, into the next big sensation may be biting off more than she can chew.

Upon finishing, I think I'm happy to say I liked the book overall. It was sharp and targeted in its mocking of the wellness industry, and Jane is an interesting main character to follow through the journey. She is part of the problem, and yet can't seem to help but fall prey to the very things she is constructing. She claims Cass is charismatic but yet the novel makes it clear that Cass is a blank slate, a shell filled with the cliches of "wellness" that people want to hear. In that regard, it's a clever story. I also enjoyed Gaynor's writing style: it was both incisive and direct, and Jane's voice throughout was clear and consistent.

There were periods where the narrative lulled for me, and it felt like there was a lot of exposition or inner monologue to wade through: a lot of telling rather than showing. I think that is what prevented me from giving this four stars, even though three stars feels a little low as well. In reality, it is probably somewhere in between those two ratings. But in general, I'd definitely be interested to read other books by this author in future.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Definitely an interesting read highlighting the cult like obsession with the wellness industry and the power of influencers. I got through this pretty quickly and was engaged throughout but was kind of expecting a dark turn like Nine Perfect strangers but it never really went there.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a younger millennial this book sung to me, and it delivered. As someone who during my studies researched into social media so much of what the book brought across as the moral already resonated with me (when we are the product, do we own ourselves, do others and who exactly profits from selling yourself on social media?) The satirically snarky view on social media influencers and the wellness industry, was I felt very on trend bearing in mind we are seeing a turning point on social media away from the 2010s era of wellness influencers selling dodgy tea diets amongst other things.

Jane lives her life on Instagram, as a wannabe influencer who works in beauty/luxury PR. She claims she is 25, fun-loving, and carefree. In reality, Jane is heading towards 30, struggles through work, and has constant dates which inevitably leave her feeling flat and let down.
Whilst scrolling on Instagram, she comes across a wellness retreat, which she thinks is the perfect way for her to elevate her status at work and save her from being fired.
She meets Cass (owner) and her husband Tom and she attempts to convince Cass that her country house wellness retreat can become the 'next big thing' in the luxury industry.
The Glow is fast paced, Jane is a 'marmatie' character - you either love or hate her but she is very believalbe.
An insight into the influence of social media and how it gets it's hooks into you and can quickly change your outlook.

I could not put this book down. The characters, the plot and the pacing were fantastic. I loved every second.

This was a really interesting read and satirical take on the PR/'wellness' industry.
I feel like many millennials in particular will be able to relate to this story.
What I particularly enjoyed was the fact that it was unpredictable.
It's also the kind of story to really make you think.
It touches upon a variety of different subjects and the story feels layered too.
I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what Jessie Gaynor does next, after enjoying this as much as I did.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A skewering satire of the wellness industry and modern marketing, although it feels like a short story straining to be a novel.